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Housing Minister John Healey today confirmed a further boost for affordable housing with almost £250 million to provide 3,400 affordable homes and create around 5,000 jobs. Every region of the country will receive funding which is shared between 43 housing associations and other bodies operating across 97 local authority areas.

This funding comes the day after Mr Healey gave the green light to the biggest programme to build new council homes for almost two decades.

Together Mr. Healey's two announcements add up to a half billion pound boost to public housing to provide 5,400 new affordable homes, creating around 10,000 jobs. Projects in all regions of the country will benefit from the government investment, with 122 local authority areas receiving a share of funding for much needed homes.

John Healey said:

"We are ready to use the power of Government and the benefit of public investment to help the country pull through recession by building the homes people need and creating the jobs that keep people in work.

"The £250 million funding I am announcing today will help tackle the shortage of affordable homes across the country, so associations can build the homes that families need. It will also provide a much needed shot in the arm for construction jobs.

"Yesterday I gave the green light for the biggest council building programme for nearly two decades with nearly £250 million public investment. Together we'll now see nearly 5,400 new affordable homes built across England, with work on many sites starting this year."

All the new homes will be affordable said the Minister with more than four in five built for low cost rent and the rest for first time buyers.

Successful projects that have been allocated funding include;

Kettering, French Drive
Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association Limited received funding for a 30 home scheme in Kettering (French Drive) that will include 21 social rented homes and 9 low cost home ownership homes.

Herts, Stevenage
Aldwyck Housing Association received funding for a 9 home scheme, in Stevenage that will include all nine 2 bed flats for rent, completing in March 2010.

Richmond
Notting Hill Housing Trust received an allocation for a 52-home scheme, in the Lower Richmond Road area. This will include 32 low cost home ownership properties and 20 social rents.

Stockton, Mandale
Isos Housing received an allocation for a 4-home scheme at Mandale, Stockton, 1 social rent home at Cambrian, Newcastle, 2 social rent homes at Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle, all added to existing allocations.

Stockport, Mendip Close
Stockport Homes received an allocation to deliver two 2 bed, 4 person bungalows; two 4 bed, 7 person homes; five 3 bed 5 person homes for social rent.

Andover, Salisbury Road
East Dorset Housing Association (part of the Source Group) received an allocation to deliver a 52 home extra care scheme in Andover, Test Valley, providing rented homes for 132 people.

Cirencester
Berkeley Group received funding for a 247 home scheme, in Kingshill, South Cirencester (Gloucestershire) including 148 homes for social rent and 99 homes for low cost home ownership - it also includes a 60 unit extra care scheme.

Notes to editors

1. The government has already invested £600 million between April and July this year to help deliver 18,000 new homes through the Homes and Communities Agency's National Affordable Housing Programme.

2. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the national housing and regeneration agency for England, with an annual investment budget of more than £5bn. The HCA was formed on 1 December 2008 along with the Tenant Services Authority (the regulatory body for Registered Social Landlords).

3. A regional breakdown of the £245 million allocated to 43 Housing Associations across 97 local authority areas which will support delivery of a further 3,400 affordable homes is detailed below:

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